Improvement in hame-fasteners



M. T. BURKE.

HAME-FASTENER.

No. 175,591. Patented Apri1 4,1876.

VN FEIERS. PNOTO-UTHOGRAFRER, WASHINGTON D Cv loop next to the clip a.

UN rTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MELANGTHON T. BURKE, OF PORTSMOUTH, OHIO.

IMPROVEMENT IN HAME-FASTENERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 175,591, dated April 4, 1876 application filed March 11, 1876.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, MELANoTHoN T. BURKE, of Portsmouth, in the county of Scioto and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Hame-Fasteners; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereoflwhich will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention consists of a hame-fastener which can be used for a fastener either at the top or bottom of the hames. It is formed partly of leather and partly of iron.

Figure 1 shows the fastener ready for' use,

- and also shows clip a, having two or more rivet-holes. Fig. 3 shows clip I), with three or more slots. Fig. 2 shows metal loop 0, having slot 0 and rivet-holes.

Afastener is formed as follows: First, place the clip a between the ends of the two pieces of leather, one of which is aboutfour inches in length and the other abouttwelve inches, (both being of the desired width,) and rivet them firmly together. Then fasten a leather Then rivet the metal loop 0 firmly between the two straps at the other end of the short one.

The fastener is 110w ready for use, which is as follows: The bent part of the clip a is inserted into-the slot' or eye of the hame on the right side, facing the animal, and is clinched by bending the curved part. In the same manner the clip I) is fastened to the other hame. The end of the longer leather strap is then inserted in the slot or eye of the hame over the clip I), and forms a lever to tighten the hames to the collar. When in the proper position, metal loop 0 is inserted in one of the slots in the clip b, and the end of the strap passed through the slot 0, thus securing it in place. As a further security, the strap may also be passed through the leather loop. The fastener may be attached iii a similar manner to the top part of the hames.

Fasteners made in this way have the advantage of the elasticity of the leather, and are not so easily broken 'as when made wholly of iron.

The parts a b c are made of malleable castiron and are slightly curved, as shown in the drawing.

Fasteners made in this way enable harnessmakers to utilize small scraps of leather that would otherwise be useless.

Having thus described my invention, I claim- The clips 0. and b, in combination With the loop 0 and leather straps, as described and shown, and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

M. T. BURKE. Witnesses:

E. R. BURKE,

WILL GRIOHTON. 

